Sacred Heart Schools Chicago Hosts Annual Angel Brunch for 2013 Graduates

For the past 55 years Sacred Heart Schools in Chicago has hosted an Angel Brunch. This event is one that students, as well as, parents, grandparents and family friends enjoy attending as it honors the 8th grade graduates from The Academy and Hardey Preparatory.   The annual brunch is hosted at the Chicago Hilton and all in attendance enjoy the music of The Stanley Paul Orchestra.  The Academy girls were beautifully dressed in white and the Hardey boys looked so distinguished in their dark blazers  emblazoned with the Hardey Prep crest and special custom red ties. The crest proudly worn on their blazers reads "Hardey In Hoc Signo Vinces" which means "in this sign you will conquer". 

Sheridan Road Alumni Association President Elect, Joey Yao, HP'86 welcomed everyone and as the  traditional Flag Ceremony began read each country in alphabetical order.  As is the tradition the tallest boy from the Hardey Prep graduating class of 2013 carried the United States flag up to the podium and we all sang The Star Spangled Banner accompanied by The Stanley Paul Orchestra. 

Dr. Jane M. Steinfels, ASH '92 Campus Minister gave the Invocation.  After we enjoyed a delicious lunch,  Nat Wilburn, Head of Schools introduced the Keynote Speaker and Sacred Heart Alum, Virgil Williams, HP'84.

Virgil Williams, HP '84

Keynote Speaker: Virgil Williams, is a 1984 graduate of Hardey Prep.  After graduating, he attended St. Ignatius for one year, transferring and graduating from The Latin School.  Virgil attended the University of Southern California majoring in communications and took many film classes.  He graduated from USC with a BA in communications in 1992 and set out to find work.  His credits include NBC's ER, Fox's The Chicago Code and is currently a Co-Executive Producer on CBS' Criminal Minds.  Recently Virgil sold his first screenplay, an adaptation of Hilary Jordan's bestselling novel MUDBOUND.  Virgil currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Steffanie and two daughters Isabelle (5) and Sophia (19 months).

Virgil Williams' talk centered around five key points: Commitment, Compassion, Love, Gratitude and Change.  It was very inspirational and meaningful.  Virgil's wife and two daughters were in attendance beaming with pride as he spoke so eloquently to the graduates and their families.

During the Presentation of Graduates Stephen Puricelli, Head of the Middle School read each graduates name as they came up on the stage for their official Induction into the Alumni Association.  Sheridan Road Alumni Association President, Kwaben Komai, A'85 presented each of the Academy graduates with a charm engraved with their initials and Sheridan Road Alumni Association President Elect, Joey Yao, H'86 presented each Hardey graduate with a Hardey pin.  All of the graduates received their Christmas Lamb as a keepsake as well as the International Passport.  

The International Passport given to all graduates during the Induction Ceremony is a card that identifies the holder as a member of the worldwide Sacred Heart community (AASH and AMASC). It serves as a means of introduction in the forty-four countries where the Society of the Sacred Heart serves. 

Once the Induction ceremony had concluded all sang Coeur de Jesus and each graduate went to the dance floor and danced their first dance with either their father or mother to the music of The Stanley Paul Orchestra.  A simply beautiful tradition that will long be remembered in the lives of these 79 Sacred Heart graduates.  

Sacred Heart Schools Chicago - Honors Joanne Barranco Steenveld, ASH '56

Sacred Heart Reunion Liturgy Celebrant: Fr. George Lane, SJ 

Sacred Heart Schools Chicago hosted its annual Reunion Liturgy and Luncheon at its Sheridan Road campus on Saturday, April 20.  Fr. George Lane, SJ celebrated mass and, during his homily, he noted that he too has a long history with Sacred Heart education.  Fr. Lane's mother, Jewel Kenny Lane, was a 1925 graduate from the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Lake Forest, aka Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart.  The oldest of seven children, Fr. Lane told us that he and his brothers all attended Loyola, and his two sisters are alumna of Sheridan Road.  The family grew up in St. Gertrude's parish.  Fr. Lane spoke of his appreciation for all that his mother had done for him as a young boy and how humbly she once remarked that any mother would do the same for her children.  An "attitude of gratitude" was the theme of his homily; stressing how important it is to recognize that everything is a gift.   It was truly a day filled with many gifts and blessings. Alums from the classes of 1951 to 1993 gathered for the annual Reunion Liturgy and Luncheon.  The food was scrumptious!  The program was prepared and presented by the Staff and members of the SRAA Board. Many thanks to Kathy Fivelson, Parent and Alumni Relations Director; Sophie Streeter, Parent and Alumni Relations Associate; newly hired Alumni Relations Associate, Carolyn Hall Napleton A'00; all the SRAA Board Members: especially President, Kwaben Komai A'83, and President Elect, Joey Yao H'88. 

Joanne Barranco Steenveld, ASH '56 – 2013 Recipient of the Catherine I. Seiker, RSCJ Award –  expressed gratitude for the honor bestowed upon her.  SRAA President Elect Joey Yao introduced "Mrs. Steenveld," one of his Hardey Prep teachers who had a very positive influence in his Sacred Heart education. Kwaben Komai and Joey then presented her with a statue of Mater.  Joanne, who was surrounded by many classmates from Sheridan Road and Barat College – as well as friends and family – held up the beautiful statue and said, “Today is "Prize Day" for me.”     Joanne thoughtfully reflected on her Sacred Heart education and her teaching career.  She spoke of Primes and the many occasions she received a card with the word "Bien" written on it. Joanne concluded by expressing gratitude for St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne and Mater for her education and the gifts she has received.  To read more about Joanne and the award click here.  

Also, in attendance at the Reunion luncheon was Rosemary O'Neil an alumna of both Sheridan Road '42 and Maryville College '46 and most notably the 2013 Cor Unum recipient from the Central Region at the 39th AASH National Conference hosted in Omaha on April 13.  

It was definitely a day full of gratitude for all things Sacred Heart!

An "Attitude of Gratitude" was evident at the Luncheon 

Primes: Originally the first exercise of the week in a school of the Sacred Heart, Primes was the assembly of students and religious at which judgment on the previous week’s conduct, good or bad, and results of the previous week’s tests were announced. Medals for politeness, for order, and for excellence in various academic subjects were also awarded, to be worn for a particular week. But Primes was also an exercise in poise. Each class was called, formed two by two, and advanced toward what could seem an intimidating group of black-garbed nuns. After forming a semicircle in front of the religious, the class curtseyed and waited for “notes” to be read. A card imprinted Tres Bien signified “very good” in behavior; a card with Bien meant “good;” a card with Assez Bien meant “good enough,” or rather “not good enough.” If a student was not bien at all, she did not receive a card, simply an oral report of “no notes,” a judgment to be dreaded. A student was expected to answer with graciousness and dignity any comment or question of Reverend Mother. This weekly practice has been replaced with monthly/quarterly, annual assemblies.

Prize Day: Sometimes referred to simply as “Prizes,” Prize Day brings a formal end to the school year in some Sacred Heart schools. Students are recognized for their academic achievements throughout the year and, in some schools, for character formation. The school community comes together for a formal assembly to distribute the prizes. In former days, the prizes usually consisted of books; now the prize can often be a certificate or award recognizing specific achievement. From the youngest to the oldest, the students are taught to accept awards graciously and to applaud the skills and talents of others. This practice continues in most of our schools today. In some schools the term Prize Day has been replaced with “Sacred Heart Awards” or some other title.